How This Works
AcuBliss does not require a date of birth to create a patient chart. A new patient can be added and even sent a registration link without one — as long as their chart contains no protected health information (PHI).
Once PHI exists in the chart — such as patient health forms, superbills, signed consent documents, or other protected health information — AcuBliss will require a date of birth before the patient can register for the portal.
This is intentional, and the reason is straightforward.
Why PHI Changes Everything
When a registration link goes out, it goes to an email address. If that address was mistyped, is outdated, or simply lands in the wrong inbox, whoever receives it could click through and gain immediate access to everything in that patient's chart. No password. No second step. Full access to patient health forms, health history, superbills, and signed consent documents.
That is a HIPAA breach — and in that scenario, the practice would be named, and so would we as the software vendor if we didn't have this security protocol in place.
The date of birth check is what closes that door. When a patient registers, they must confirm their date of birth against what is on file. If the person on the other end of the link cannot confirm it, they cannot get in.
Why Date of Birth Is Best Practice from Day One
Because PHI accumulates quickly — often from the very first appointment — capturing date of birth at the time a patient is created is strongly recommended.
Date of birth is a standard required field across all EHR platforms. Most practices are already collecting it. If your previous system was a scheduling-only tool, like Square Appointments or a similar platform, it may not have captured it. Those patients will need their date of birth added to their chart before they can register if they have any PHI on file.
The easiest approach is to make date of birth a habit at intake, before any chart activity begins.
How to Add a Missing Date of Birth
Click the "send registration link" button and add in the DOB for the patient at their next visit, by phone, or by text.
Click to resend the registration link from the patient's profile.
The patient will be able to complete their registration from there.
If the Patient Is Entering Their Date of Birth but Still Cannot Register
The most common cause is a mismatch between what is in the chart and what the patient is entering. Even a small discrepancy — a typo, a transposed digit, or a different format — will block access.
Open the patient's chart, confirm the exact date of birth on file, and ask the patient to re-enter it precisely as it appears.
If the issue persists, our support team can take it from here: https://acubliss.app/techsupport